Southern University will receive more than $40,000 to provide technical business training in rural communities throughout the state, U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-La.) announced Monday in a news release.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding $212,500 in grants to support workforce training in Louisiana. Winrock International Institute will receive $85,000 to increase entrepreneurial development programs and create the Louisiana "BizAccelerator" Network, which includes training services for small private businesses. The service area includes Bienville, Morehouse, Richland and Webster parishes.

The North Delta Regional Planning & Development District will also receive $85,000 to implement the "Connect Northeast Louisiana Project" which will provide social media training for small business owners and entrepreneurs. The service area will include Morehouse and East Carroll parishes.

"We need to prepare folks for any productive career path they want, whether it involves college or skills training," Vitter said in the release. "For far too long, we've devalued jobs and careers that don't involve a college degree. That's wrong. And it's wrong-headed when we have great, high-paying jobs going unfilled because of the lack of enough skilled workers.: